Fire Chief Quits After Guilty Plea

October 24, 1998

Maywood Fire Chief Dennis Hoffman has pleaded guilty to misdemeanor charges in a case involving attempted official misconduct and has resigned from the post he has held for more than a decade, officials said Friday.

Hoffman was accused of taking vacation time and of claiming pay that he had not earned, according to Charles Jolie, a spokesman for the Illinois attorney general's office.

Jolie would not elaborate, saying an investigation is still under way into alleged corruption in the village of Maywood. He said more charges are expected but he declined to identify any individuals who might be the subject of the investigation.

As part of a plea agreement, Hoffman also will restore some funds to the village.

The village has named Frank Mennell, the most senior captain in the Fire Department, as interim chief, Village Trustee Gary Woll said Friday.